Family of beaten Falfurrias woman, donates her organs

Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times
About two dozen family members and friends of Erika Cantu DeLeon gathered at 9:30 a.m. Friday at the Christus Spohn Hospital Memorial flagpole for a ceremony honoring the donation of her organs.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

CORPUS CHRISTI - About two dozen family members and friends of Erika Cantu DeLeon gathered at 9:30 a.m. Friday at the Christus Spohn Hospital Memorial flagpole for a ceremony honoring the donation of her organs.

DeLeon, a 34-year-old nurse and a mother of four in Falfurrias, died Wednesday after being found beaten late Monday in her home.

Authorities with Falfurrias Police Department did not return calls Thursday regarding their investigation.

"We know this grief and loss will not end soon," said Rev. David Saenz at the ceremony. "Yet in the midst of this tragic loss, the family has made a difficult and loving decision to share life with many."

DeLeon's parents, Debbie Morales and Pedro Cantu, were presented a "Donate Life" flag by Melinda Olinick, coordinator with Southwest Transplant Alliance. The couple carried it to the flagpole where it was mounted and raised for the community to recognize the family's gift.

Donation of DeLeon's organs could save up to eight people's lives, Olinick said. There are about 113,000 people waiting for organs.

Olinick presented the parents with an organ donor medal to honor their daughter.

"Erika was a great person; loving, always giving to anybody who needed help," Morales said. "There is a thick hole in our hearts."

She clutched her 3-year-old grandson, Erika's youngest, as those gathered alongside hospital staff held hands, hugged and cried while singing "Amazing Grace."

DeLeon also had three daughters ages 12, 16 and 20.

The Falfurrias community has been very supportive, family members assured. A candlelight vigil was planned at a local park Friday night, Cantu said.

The couple last celebrated Saturday with DeLeon at her daughter's sweet 16 party.

"We all danced like fools and had fun," Morales said. "Erika loved to dance."

DeLeon and her husband, Eusebio DeLeon, 39, had a rocky relationship for about 10 years before marrying, Cantu said.

It didn't get better, he said, despite the family trying to get help for her as domestic upset tore at the relationship.

"Despite the hard times she always had a smile on her face," he said about his daughter. "She loved life, and didn't deserve to go like this. We're happy her life will go on in others. She's now in God's hands."